The Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific (SSD) spearheaded a Digital Music Creator's Conference, held from November 13–16, 2024, concluded successfully, bringing together 70 passionate church musicians, creatives, and communication leaders at the regional headquarters of the Adventist Church in Southwestern Philippines (SwPUC) in Cagayan de Oro City. This landmark event not only equipped participants with practical tools to maximize technology for music production but also emphasized the importance of creating digital music content to advance God’s mission in the cyberspace.
Equipping Church Musicians for the Digital Era
The primary goal of the conference was to empower church musicians to embrace technology as a vital tool for creating high-quality digital music. Beyond the technical skills, participants were inspired to craft music designed for upload to social media platforms, helping to spread God’s message of love, hope, and salvation even in the digital landscape.
Sessions like Creating Music Powered by AI, Multi-track Recording and Audio Sweetening, and Music Publishing focused on the practical aspects of producing music in digital formats suitable for platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Participants were encouraged to view their music not just as art but as a ministry tool capable of reaching millions online.
Keynote speaker Johnster Calibod emphasized this point, saying, “Today, the mission field extends to cyberspace. As musicians, we are called to create music that glorifies God and touches hearts in every corner of the digital world.”
Celebrating the Joy of Songwriting
A special highlight of the event was hearing from composers of local popular songs, who shared their joy in seeing their music become a blessing to many. These artists expressed gratitude and amazement at how their compositions have touched lives and inspired faith. One of the convention delegates, Shulammite Languido, stated that there is no greater reward than hearing people sing your song and find its message moving. “Knowing that your music has made an impact for God’s glory is a joy beyond words.” Their experiences served as a powerful reminder of the profound role music plays in ministering to hearts and leading people to Christ.
Inspiring Workshops and Hands-On Learning
Attendees immersed themselves in a series of workshops designed to enhance their skills and understanding in various areas of music and technology. One session focused on best practices for studio audio recording, teaching participants techniques to achieve professional audio quality. Another workshop delved into the art of music arrangement, guiding attendees on how to craft songs that resonate deeply on both spiritual and emotional levels. Additionally, a session on church sound systems equipped participants with practical knowledge to optimize the worship experience within their congregations, ensuring that every note and word could inspire and uplift.
The use of cutting-edge tools like Suno, Vocoflex, and Synthesizer V in AI-powered music creation was particularly eye-opening for participants, enabling them to streamline the creative process while maintaining the authenticity of their message.
A Vision for Mission-Driven Music Content
At the heart of the conference was a vision to inspire musicians to create content that aligns with God’s mission. By transitioning traditional church music into digital formats, participants were challenged to use their talents to share the gospel with a global audience through the power of social media.
“This event was a game-changer,” said Golden Gadoh, communications director from the Adventist Church in Malaysia. “I see how I can turn our music into content that reaches not just our congregation but thousands, maybe millions, of people online.”
Mico Arellano, a young musician from Davao, added, “Learning how to publish music on platforms like Spotify and YouTube was an eye-opener. I’m excited to use these tools for God's work.”
A Call to Innovate and Inspire
SSD communication director Heshbon Buscato shared, “The mission field has expanded to include cyberspace, and this is where we need to be. Your music has the power to reach hearts and change lives, even beyond physical borders. Let’s make the most of these tools and resources to accomplish God’s mission together.”
Looking Ahead
Plans are already underway for future events, as the SSD seeks to further strengthen the role of music in advancing God’s work in the digital age. The Digital Music Creator's Conference is an example of how the transformative power of music and technology can become an effective tool for mission. By combining creativity, faith, and innovation, church musicians are now better prepared to inspire worship and share the gospel across the globe—even in cyberspace.
